Surgical cutting accessory with encapsulated RFID chip

ABSTRACT

A cutting accessory for use with a powered surgical tool. The accessory includes a drive shaft to which an outer hub is attached. Internal to the outer hub is a self-contained transponder formed from an RFID chip and a coil of electrical conductor embedded within a solid substrate or encapsulated within a plastic enclosure. The transponder wirelessly communicates one or more pieces of information concerning the identity and operation of the accessory to the surgical tool when the accessory is attached to the surgical tool.

RELATIONSHIP TO EARLIER-FILED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/319,300, filed Dec. 13, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,237,990 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/214,937, filed Aug. 8, 2002 now abandoned. The contents of theabove-listed priority applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to a surgical cutting accessory foruse with a powered surgical tool system and, more particularly, to asurgical cutting accessory with an RFID chip that contains dataregarding the operation of the cutting accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Endoscopic surgical procedures are routinely performed in order toaccomplish various surgical tasks. In an endoscopic surgical procedure,small incisions, called portals, are made in the patient. An endoscope,which is a device that allows medical personnel to view the surgicalsite, is inserted in one of the portals. Surgical instruments used toperform specific surgical tasks are inserted into other portals. Thesurgeon views the surgical site through the endoscope to determine howto manipulate the surgical instruments in order to accomplish thesurgical procedure. An advantage of performing endoscopic surgery isthat, since the portions of the body that are cut open are minimized,the portions of the body that need to heal after surgery are likewisereduced. Moreover, during an endoscopic surgical procedure, onlyrelatively small portions of the patient's internal organs and tissueare exposed to the open environment. This minimal opening of thepatient's body lessens the extent to which a patient's organs and tissueare open to infection.

The ability to perform endoscopic surgery is enhanced by the developmentof powered surgical tools especially designed to perform endoscopicsurgical procedures. One such tool, for example, is sold by theApplicant's Assignee under the trademark HUMMER TPS. This tool is in theform of a cylindrical handpiece designed to be held in the hand of thesurgeon. Internal to the handpiece there is a motor. A front end of thehandpiece is provided with a coupling assembly for releasably holding acutting accessory. The types of cutting accessories that are attached tothese handpieces include edgers, resectors, planers and burrs. Integralwith the motor and coupling assembly is a means for transmitting therotary power developed by the motor to the cutting accessory.

The handpiece also has a suction conduit. This is because, in anendoscopic surgical procedure, irrigating fluid is introduced into thesurgical site. This fluid serves as transport media for removing tissueand debris from the surgical site. In order to remove the irrigatingfluid, and the material in the fluid, a suction path is provided throughthe cutting accessory and the handpiece. A suction pump is connected tothe handpiece to provide the suction force needed for drawing the fluidand material away from the surgical site. In order to control thesuction flow through the cutting accessory and the handpiece, thehandpiece is provided with a manually operated valve. Thus, with asingle handpiece, a surgeon both manipulates the cutting accessory andcontrols the suction of material away from the surgical site.

While current endoscopic surgical tool systems have proven useful, thereare some disadvantages associated with their construction. Some of thesedisadvantages are associated with the coupling assemblies integral withthe handpieces. For example, many coupling assemblies are provided withrelease levers that a surgeon or an assistant pivots to place thecoupling assembly in a release state wherein a cutting accessory can beremoved from the handpiece. Some coupling assemblies are provided withcoupling assemblies that not only must be placed in the release state toremove a cutting accessory, but must also be placed in the release statein order to couple a cutting accessory to the handpiece. Requiringmedical personnel to perform this step can add to the overall time ittakes to remove and replace cutting accessories.

Moreover, often a coupling assembly comprises numerous components.Providing these components and arranging them together to form afunctional coupling assembly adds to the overall cost of providing thehandpiece to which the coupling assembly is attached. Anotherdisadvantage associated with providing a coupling assembly that hasnumerous components is that, the large number of components increasesthe possibility that, due to the failure of one component, the wholeassembly will malfunction. This is especially true when a system isprovided with a large number of moving components.

Also, as discussed in application Ser. No. 10/214,937, one of theapplications from which this application claims priority and which isincorporated herein by reference, recently there has been an interest inproviding surgical tool systems that allow data to be inductivelytransferred between the handpiece and the complementary cuttingaccessory. This system requires the placement of a coil in the distalend, the front end, of the handpiece so that there can be inductivesignal transfer between it and a complementary coil in the adjacentproximal end of the associated cutting accessory. This means that, notonly must the front end of the handpiece contain the components forminga coupling assembly, it must also have a space in which a coil can behoused. Given the components that comprise some coupling assemblies, theonly way both goals can be accomplished is to increase the overalllength of the handpiece. This may require lengthening of the proximalend of the complementary cutting accessory, the end fitted in thehandpiece. This handpiece lengthening can increase the overall size andweight of the handpiece. These increases run contrary to one goal ofmodern surgical tool design. This goal being that, to facilitate ease ofuse of a surgical tool, its size should be kept as small as possible andits weight as low as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a new powered surgical tool systemthat includes a handpiece which accepts and powers a variety ofaccessories. Removably secured within each of the accessories is atransponder that wirelessly communicates identification and/oroperational information concerning the accessory to the handpiece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the claims. The aboveand further advantages may be better understood by reference to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscopic surgical handpiece of thisinvention that depicts a complementary cutting accessory secured to thehandpiece;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the handpiece towhich a cutting accessory is attached;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components forming the couplingassembly of this invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the coupling assembly;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling assemblycollet;

FIG. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the coupling assembly collettaken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the locking ring and release button;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the locking ring and release button;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the outer hub of the cutting accessory of thisinvention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the coil seal of the cutting accessory;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the coil seal of the cuttingaccessory;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the cutting accessory tag assembly;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative accessory tag assembly;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory tag assembly of FIG.13 which illustrates one potential method of producing the accessory tagassembly.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the accessory tagassembly depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the accessorytag assembly depicted in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative means for securingthe accessory tag assembly in the outer hub;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of how a number of accessoryidentification assemblies of this invention may be batch loaded withdata; and

FIG. 19 depicts how there are different fields containing differenttypes of data in the RFID chip of the accessory identification assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The surgical tool system 18 of this invention, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,includes an endoscopic handpiece 20, sometimes called a surgical tool. Acomplementary cutting accessory 22 is attached to the handpiece 20. Thehandpiece 20 includes a generally cylindrical, elongated housing 24. Thedistal end of the housing 24 is formed with a bore 26 for receiving theproximal end of the cutting accessory 22. (Throughout this document,“distal” is understood to be away from the face of the surgeon holdingthe handpiece 20; “proximal” is understood to mean towards the face ofthe surgeon.) A motor 28, depicted in phantom, is disposed inside thehousing 24. A rotating output shaft 30, which is connected to the motor28 for actuation by the motor, is disposed inside bore 26. A couplingassembly 32 is mounted to the front end of the housing 24 for removablyholding the cutting accessory 22 to the handpiece 20.

The cutting accessory 22 includes a drive hub 34 that releasably engagesthe output shaft 30. For the purposes of this invention, the exactgeometry of the output shaft 30 and drive hub 34 that facilitate thereleasable engagement of these components is not relevant. By way ofexample though, in the depicted version of the invention, a drive pin 36extends through the distal end of motor output shaft 30. The drive hub34 is formed to have a slot 37 that extends forward from the proximalend of the hub. When the cutting accessory 22 is fitted in handpiecebore 26, the shaft drive pin 36 seats in the drive hub slot 37. Theseating of the drive pin 36 in the drive hub slot 37 causes the drivepin to impart the rotational moment of the output shaft 36 to the drivehub 34.

The cutting accessory 22 includes a static outer hub 38 that surroundsthe drive hub 34 that is held in housing bore 26 by the couplingassembly 32. A tubular drive shaft 40 is integrally attached to thedrive hub 34 and extends forward, distally from the drive hub 34 throughthe outer hub 38 and forward from the handpiece 20. A cutting head, suchas a burr or open window shaver, shaver illustrated, is attached to orintegrally formed with the distal end of the drive shaft 40. Atubular-shaped outer shell 42, sometimes called the outer housing,extends forward from the outer hub 38 and surrounds the drive shaft 40.The extent to which the distal end of the outer shell 42 surrounds thedrive shaft 40 cutting head is a function of the design of theparticular cutting accessory 22. It should be further understood thatthe distal end of the drive shaft 40 is provided with an opening 41through which suction is drawn from the surgical site.

When the surgical tool system 20 of this invention is employed toperform a surgical procedure, irrigating fluid is introduced into thesite through the distal end of the cutting accessory. This fluid may beflowed to the site through the annular space between the drive shaft 40and the inner wall of outer shell 42. Alternatively, the fluid isintroduced through a separate cannula that opens into the surgical site.Suction is drawn through the handpiece 20 and drive shaft 40 of theaccessory 22 to remove irrigating fluid and the material entrained inthe irrigating fluid.

Handpiece housing 24 is formed with an elongated bore 50 that extendsaxially through the housing. The distal end of bore 50 is locatedrearwardly from the proximal portion of the bore 26. While not seen inthe drawings, it should be understood that bore 50 is the space in whichthe handpiece motor 28 is seated. The distal end of housing 24 is formedto have a ring-shaped head 52 that defines a first counterbore 54 thatis coaxial with bore 50. Immediately proximal to head 52, housing 24 hasa second counterbore 55 also coaxial with bore 50. Second counterbore55, which has a diameter between that of bore 50 and the firstcounterbore 54, is a transition bore between bore 50 and the firstcounterbore 54. A suction bore 56 branches off of bore 50. Suction isdrawn through the cutting accessory drive shaft 40 through the suctionbore 56. Partially seen in FIG. 2 is a valve bore 58 that intersects thesuction bore 56. A valve (not illustrated) is disposed in the valve bore58 for regulating the suction flow through the cutting accessory 22 andthe handpiece 20.

The coupling assembly 32, now described primarily by reference to FIGS.2, 3 and 4, is secured to the distal end of the handpiece housing 24.Specifically, the coupling assembly 32 includes a generally ring-shapedcollet 60 that is secured to the housing 24. Collet 60 is the portion ofthe handpiece 20 that defines bore 26. A locking ring 62 is movablydisposed in the collet 60. A cover plate 64 is fitted over the collet 60and locking ring 62 so as to hold the locking ring to the collet. A wavespring 66 seated between the collet 60 and the locking ring 62 biasesthe locking ring into a locked state in which the ring holds the cuttingaccessory outer hub 38 in handpiece bore 26.

The collet 60, is formed of a plastic able to withstand the rigors ofsteam sterilization, such as a polyphenylsulfone plastic, one suchplastic being sold under the trademark RADEL by Amoco Chemicals/BritishPetroleum. In some versions of the invention, the plastic forming thecollet 60 is 15 to 30% carbon filled PEEK. The collet 60, as seen indetail in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, includes a sleeve-shaped base 70. Extendingdistally from base 70, the collet 60 has a head 72 that has an outerdiameter greater than the outer diameter of the base 70. Bore 26 extendsaxially through collet 60, from the distal end of head 72 to theproximal end of base 70. Collet 60 is further formed so that head 72,has an arcuate-shaped recessed section 74 that surrounds between 190°and 250° of the outer circumference of the collet. In more preferredversions of the invention, recessed section 74 surrounds between 230°and 240° of the outer circumference of head 72. Within recessed section74, collet head 72 is further shaped to have a laterally extending slot76 that opens into bore 26. Immediately proximal to slot 76, the collethead 72 is shaped so as to have two small flat surfaces 78 that angleaway from an apex that is parallel with the longitudinal axis of thecollet 60. Collet head 72 is further formed so that within each flatsurface 78 there is a groove 80 with a flat base surface recessed fromthe associated flat surface 78.

Collet 60 is formed so that within head 72 and the adjacent distalsection of base 70 there is an inner wall 82 with a constant diametercircular cross-sectional profile that defines the distal portion of bore26. Within head 72, collet 60 is further formed so that there is anarcuate groove 84 that extends inwardly of wall 82, away from the centeraxis of the collet. Groove 84 is diametrically opposite the arcuatesection of collet head 72 inscribed by slot 76. Collet 60 is furthershaped to have two diametrically opposed slots 86 that extend proximallyaway from the distal end opening of head 72 and terminate immediatelyforward of the proximal end of the head. Slots 86 are diametricallyopposed from each other. A first one of the slots 86 intersects slot 76;the opposed slot 86 intersects groove 84. It should be understood thatgroove 84 has a depth greater than that of the intersecting slot 86. Aswill be understood hereinafter, the greater depth of groove 84 isdesigned to provide space so that the adjacent section of the lockingring 62 can extend into the portion of groove 84 located below theintersecting slot 86.

Collet 60 is further formed to have a skirt 88 that extends proximallyfrom the proximal end of head 72 and circumferentially surrounds theadjacent distal end of base 70. More particularly, it will be noted thatskirt 88 is spaced away from the outer surface of the portion of thebase surrounded by the skirt so as to define an annular space 90 betweenthese two components of the collet 60. Skirt 88 is shaped so that aroundits outer surface there are two spaced apart, circumferentiallyextending grooves 91.

The collet 60 is shaped so that the portion of base 70 that extendsrearwardly from head 72 has both a generally constant outer diameter andwall thickness. The proximal end of the base 70 has an annular tailsection 92 that is stepped inwardly from the more distal portions of thebase. More particularly, there is a stepped surface 94 along the outsideof the base between the distal portions and tail section 92 that has acurved cross-sectional profile. Also, collet 60 is shaped so that insidebase 70, immediately distal to tail section 92, there is an inner wallsection 96, immediately proximal to wall 82, with an inwardly curvedprofile.

Locking ring 62 is formed of a sterilizable metal, such as stainlesssteel. The locking ring 62, now described by reference to FIGS. 4, 7 and8, is shaped to define a center opening 102 with a shape that is oval.Locking ring 62 is further formed to have a lip 104 that projects intoopening 102 from one of the curved ends of the ring. Lip 104 providesthe end of the ring 62 with which it is integral a taper such that theoverall wall thickness of the ring increases along a line that extendsproximally away from the distal-facing side of the ring.

A release button 106 is integrally formed with the locking ring 62 so asto be located on the side of the ring opposite the side with which lip104 is integral. More specifically, release button 106 both subtends theend of the ring to which the button is mounted and extends proximallyaway from the ring. A slot 108 is formed in the portion of the ring 62to which release button 106 is attached. Slot 108 opens into centeropening 102 and has the same cross-sectional profile as the slots 86formed in collet 60.

As part of the assembly of handpiece 20 of this invention, collet 60 isattached to handpiece housing 24. Specifically, the collet base 70 seatsin the second counterbore 55, as seen in FIG. 2. Prior to the attachmentof the collet to the handpiece housing 24, a coil 110 is seated inannular space 90. The coil, which may be a wire wrap or a conductivetrace formed on a flexible substrate, is the coil used to facilitateinductive signal transfer to/from a radio frequency identificationdevice (RFID) chip 170 disposed in the accessory outer hub 38 (FIG. 12).Coil 110 is connected to downline signal processing components throughconductors 114 that extend through a longitudinally extending bore 113formed in the handpiece housing 24.

An O-ring 116 extends around the collet base tail section 92. O-ring 116abuts the stepped surface of housing 24 that defines the transition frombore 50 to second counterbore 55. More particularly, the stepped surfaceof housing 24 is formed to define a groove 118 with an arcuate profilein which O-ring 116 seats. The inner portion of O-ring 116 is seatedagainst the curved collet step surface 94.

Collet 60 is secured to handpiece housing 24, in part, by an adhesivecapable of withstanding the rigors of sterilization, such as a siliconeadhesive. The adhesive is placed between the opposed surfaces of housinghead 52 and collet skirt 88. A fraction of the adhesive collects in thegrooves 91 that extend around the outer surface of skirt 88. Upon thecuring of the adhesive in the grooves, the adhesive forms two O-rings119 between the housing 24 and the collet 60. The O-rings 119 preventfluid flow from the ambient environment moving through thehandpiece-collet interface.

Removable set screws, not illustrated, further hold the collet 60 to thedistal end of the housing 24. These set screws extend through threadedbores 117 formed in the distal end of the handpiece housing 24 (one boreshown in FIG. 1). The ends of the set screws set in recesses 120 formedin the outer surface of collet base 70 (one recess shown in FIG. 4).

Locking ring 62 is slip-fitted in collet slot 76. More particularly, thelocking ring 62 is attached to the collet 60 so that the end of the ringwith which lip 104 is integral seats in groove 84. When the locking ring62 is fitted to the collet 60, the release button extends rearwardly,over flat surfaces 78 and the adjacent portion of the recessed section74.

The wave spring 66 is disposed-between the collet head 72 and therelease button 106. Specifically, each end of the wave spring 66 isseated in a separate one of the grooves 80 formed in the collet head 72.The topmost crest portion of the wave spring is fitted against arecessed surface 122 formed in the release button 106 immediatelyproximal to locking ring 62.

Cover plate 64 is snap-secured in the recess 74 formed in the collethead. The cover plate 64 has an arcuate shape corresponding to that ofthe collet recess 74. There is an opening 124 in the center of the coverplate 64 through which release button 106 extends. In the illustratedversion of the invention, the cover plate 64 has a center section 126with greater wall thickness than that of the surrounding ends. Opening124 is formed in the center section 126.

The static outer hub 38, which is formed of rigid plastic, is nowdescribed by reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. The outer hub 38 isconstructed to have a sleeve-shaped base 130. The base 130, it will beobserved, is formed with two diametrically opposed, generallyrectangularly shaped openings 132. Extending forward from base 130 andformed integrally therewith is a substantially solid head 133. Whilehead 133 is substantially solid, the outer hub 38 is formed so that abore 134 extends axially through the head. Outer shell 42 is mounted inbore 134 in any conventional manner to extend forward from head 133. Inthe depicted version of the invention, the outer surface of hub head 133is provided with threading, not identified. The threading is provided tofacilitate the releasable screw securement of the cutting accessory 22to a cannula fitted in the portal formed in the patient and directedtowards the surgical site.

Outer hub 38 is further formed to have two diametrically opposed ears135 that are integrally formed with, and extend outwardly from, the base130. Each ear 135 is formed so as to have a relatively shortproximally-directed face 136 that extends laterally away from thelongitudinal axis of the hub 38. Distal to face 136, each ear 135 has aparallel distally directed face 138. A side surface 137 extends betweenthe opposed faces 136 and 138 of ear 135. Each ear is formed such thatthe side surface 137 has a rise or taper at least adjacent theproximally-directed faces 136 such that the overall thickness of the ear135 increases moving away from face 136. In some versions of theinvention, the ears 135 are formed so that side surfaces 137 have aprofile that, extending from the proximally-directed faces 136, iscurved or arcuate.

In the depicted version of the invention, laterally extending grooves131 are formed in the distal end of the outer hub base 130. The grooves131 extend circumferentially around the base. Two longitudinally offset,parallel sets of grooves 131 are shown. Each set of grooves consists ofa set of spaced apart grooves. The presence of grooves 131 are inresponse to the plastic manufacturing process used to produce the outerhub base 130. Specifically, plastic molded parts typically shrink asthey cool during the latter stages of the manufacturing process. Toprevent the surface of the plastic molded part from distorting due tonon-uniform shrinkage, grooves are frequently provided in the plasticpart. The grooves function, in layman terms, as a “reduce sink” thatallows the remainder of the plastic part to shrink uniformly, therebypreventing surface distortions. Accordingly, grooves 131 are provided tofacilitate the injection molding of the outer hub base 130.

A generally tube-shaped coil seal 139 is disposed in hub base 130. Coilseal 139 is formed from flexible sterilizable material. In one versionof the invention, coil seal 139 is formed from a silicon rubber that has55 Shore A durometer hardness. The coil seal 139 is shaped to have afirst end section, distal end section 140, that has a constant outerdiameter and inner diameter. Extending proximally from the distal endsection 140, the coil seal 139 has a main section 142. Main section 142has the same inner diameter as distal end section 140 and a narrowerouter diameter. The coil seal 139 is further formed to define agenerally rectangular recess 144 in the outer surface of main section142. Located proximal to main section 142, the coil seal 139 has asecond end section, proximal end section 146. The inner and outerdiameters of proximal end section 146 are the same as those of thedistal end section 140. The proximal end section 146 of the coil seal139 is further formed to have two diametrically opposed lock tabs 148.Each lock tab 148 extends radially outwardly from the outer surface ofthe proximal end section 146. The proximal end section 146 also has twodiametrically opposed stop tabs 150 that extend inwardly from the innerwall of the section. In the depicted version of the invention, each stoptab 150 is radially aligned with a separate one of the lock tabs 148.

Coil seal 139 is further formed to have a tail section 152 that extendsrearwardly from the proximal end section 146 and that forms the proximalend of the seal. The tail section 152 is formed to define two annularspaced apart ribs 154 and 156 that extend circumferentially around coilseal 139. Both ribs 154 and 156 extend beyond the outer diameter of theseal locking section 146. In the depicted version of the invention, thediameter of the circle subtended by the more proximal of the two ribs,rib 156, is less than the diameter subtended by the other rib, rib 154.Tail section 152 is further formed to have an inner wall that isoutwardly flared.

When a cutting accessory 22 of this version of the invention isassembled, an RFID chip 170, seen in FIG. 12, is seated in seal recess144. A coil 172 connected to the chip 170 is disposed over the reduceddiameter outer surface of seal main section 142. In the version of theinvention depicted in FIG. 12, the chip 170 is mounted on a small flexcircuit 171; the coil 172 is a conductive trace formed on the flexcircuit 171. After manufacture of the flex circuit 171, the flexcircuit, with the chip 170 mounted thereon, is wrapped in a cylinderover seal main section 142 so that the chip seats in recess 144.

The RFID chip-coil-and-seal assembly is fitted in hub base 130.Consequently, both the RFID chip 170 and coil 172 are disposed betweenthe inner wall of the hub base and the outer surface of coil seal 139.Owing to the relative dimensions of outer hub 38 and coil seal 139, theouter surfaces of the seal's distal end and proximal end sections 140and 146, respectively, press against the inner wall of the hub base 130.This contact forms a seal around chip 170 and coil 172. Thus, in someversions of the invention, there may not be a need to employ an adhesiveor other chemical to provide a moisture barrier around the chip 170 andcoil 172.

As part of the insertion of the coil seal 139 into the outer hub 38,lock tabs 148 are seated in hub base openings 132. The seating of thelock tabs 148 in openings 132 holds the coil seal 139 to the outer hub38. When the coil seal 139 is so attached to outer hub 38, tail sectionribs 154 and 156 are located proximal to the proximal end opening of thehub.

As described above, the drive hub 34, now described by reference to FIG.2, transfers the rotary motion of the handpiece output shaft 30 to thecutting accessory drive shaft 40. The drive hub has a stem 173 that isthe proximal end portion of the drive hub. Stem 173 is the portion ofthe drive hub 34 that is formed with the geometric features thatfacilitate the coupling of the hub to the motor output shaft 30. Locatedwithin the base of the bore within stem 173 there is a coil spring 169with a conical profile.

Extending forward from stem 173, the drive hub 34 has a neck 174 thatextends into the proximal end opening of the outer hub 38. In thedepicted version of the invention, neck 174 has a diameter less thanthat of stem 173. A head 176 located forward of the neck 174 forms thedistal end of the drive hub 34. Head 176, it will be observed, has alarger diameter than the adjacent neck 174. More specifically, the drivehub 34 is formed so that neck 174 has a diameter less than that of theopen section defined by the inner surfaces of coil seal stop tabs 150.In contrast, drive hub head 176 has a diameter that is slightly greaterthan the opening defined by the coil seal stop tabs 150. For example, inone version of the invention, the neck 174 of the drive hub 34 has anouter diameter of 0.31 inches and head 176 has a diameter of 0.344inches. In this version of the invention, the open section of the boredefined by the coil seal tabs 150, once the coil seal 139 is seated inthe outer hub 38 and slightly compressed, is between 0.33 and 0.34inches.

A bore 177 extends from the distally directed front face of the drivehub head 176, through the head 176 and partially through neck 174. Theproximal end of the drive shaft 40 is secured in the distal portion ofbore 177 by any conventional means. The drive hub 34 is further formedto have a suction port 180 on one side of the neck 174 that curves into,and is in fluid communication with, the proximal end of bore 177.Suction port 180 is the opening in the drive hub 34 through whichsuction is drawn.

The cutting accessory 22 is assembled by inserting the drive shaft 40through the outer hub 38 and into the outer shell 42. When the cuttingaccessory 22 is so assembled, the drive hub and drive shaft subassemblyare moved past coil seal 139 in hub bore 134. Owing to the dimensioningof the components, the drive coupler head 176 abuts the coil seal stoptabs 150. Owing to the compressibility of the material from which thecoil seal 139 is formed, a small amount of force compresses the stoptabs 150 to allow the complete insertion of the drive coupler androtating shaft. After assembly, if the cutting accessory 22 is heldvertically, the drive hub head 176 will drop so as to abut stop tabs150. Thus, the stop tabs 150 prevent gravity, without any additionalforce, from causing the drive hub 34 and drive shaft 40 to drop out ofouter hub 38.

In the depicted version of the invention, a washer 183 is shownsurrounding the portion of the drive shaft 40 located immediatelyforward of the drive hub 34. Washer 183 is thus sandwiched between thedistally-directed face of the drive hub 34, and the adjacent proximallydirected recessed face of the outer hub 38. Washer 183 is provided withsome cutting accessories 22, such as burs, as both a spacer and toreduce the friction contact between the drive and outer hubs 34 and 38,respectively.

The cutting accessory 22 is secured to the handpiece 20 by inserting thedrive and outer hubs 34 and 38, respectively, into the open end ofcollet bore 26. The outer hub ears 135 are inserted in collet slots 86.As the outer hub 34 is seated in opening 26, the arcuate side surface137 of the ear 135 adjacent the locking ring lip 104 presses against thelip. Owing to the complementary tapers of lip 104 and the adjacent ear135, the movement overcomes the force of wave spring 66 that urges thatlip into the portion of groove 84 that intersects the contiguous slot86. Thus, the lip 104, and the adjoining arcuate section of the lockingring 62 are pressed into collet groove 84 so that the ear 135 can passover the lip.

Once the outer hub ear 135 passes over the locking ring lip 104, thewave spring 66 urges the lip back into the position in which the lip iswithin the portion of groove 84 that intersects the contiguous slot 86.When the locking ring 62 is so seated, lip 104 abuts thedistally-directed face 138 of the ear 135 to hold the outer hub 38 andthe whole of the cutting accessory 22 to the handpiece 20. When thecoupling assembly 32 is in this state, the assembly is considered in thelocked state.

While not part of this invention, it should be understood that, owing tothe geometry of the proximal end of the drive hub 34, the seating of thecutting accessory 22 in opening 26 causes the drive hub 34 to engage themotor output shaft 30. When the drive hub 34 is so seated, the narrowdiameter end of spring 169 presses against the distal facing face of themotor output shaft 37. Spring 169 thus pushes the drive hub 34 forward.

When the cutting accessory 22 is fitted in the handpiece opening 26,ribs 154 and 156 abut the tapered inner wall section 96 of collet base70. Ribs 154 and 156 thus function as a seal that prevents leakage fromthe suction channel to the outside environment.

As a result of the coupling of the cutting accessory 22 to the handpiece20, accessory coil 172 is disposed in the space surrounded by handpiececoil 110. The coils 110 and 172 are thus in close enough proximity toeach other so that there is inductive coupling of signals between thecoils.

During the course of a surgical procedure, a surgeon may want to replacethe cutting accessory 22 attached to the handpiece 20 with a differentcutting accessory. The installed cutting accessory is removed by thedownward depression of the release button 106. This action causes a likedownward movement of the locking ring 62 so that lip 104 retracts intothe portion of groove 84 below the contiguous slot 86. As a result ofthis motion, lip 104 moves clear of the adjacent outer hub ear 135. Oncethe locking ring 62 is so positioned, the coupling assembly 32 isreferred to as being in the release state. The transition of thecoupling assembly 32 to the release state allows the spring 169, whichis previously compressed, to expand. Since the distal end of the spring169 is disposed against the drive hub 34, the spring pushes the drivehub 34, and therefore the outer hub 38, a short distance forward of theopen end of bore 26. Consequently, it becomes a simple task to manuallypull the cutting accessory 22 from the handpiece 20.

Once the cutting accessory 22 is extracted from the bore 26 so that theouter hub ear 135 clears the locking ring 62, the pressure on thehandpiece can be released without adversely effecting the removal of thecutting accessory. The replacement cutting accessory 22 is then insertedinto the handpiece 20. As with the insertion of the first cuttingaccessory 22, there is no need for the medical personnel to depress therelease button 106 in order to secure the new accessory to the handpiece20.

The coupling assembly 32 of this invention is constructed out of just afew components. Only two of the components, the locking ring 62 and thewave spring 66, move. Thus, given the relatively small number ofcomponents incorporated into this coupling assembly, and the fact thatonly two of the components move, it is relatively economic both toprovide the parts of this assembly and to put them together tomanufacture the completed assembly.

The coupling assembly 32 of this invention is further constructed sothat it does not have to be placed into the release mode in order forthe assembly to lock a cutting accessory 22 to the handpiece 20 withwhich the assembly is integral. Collectively, the handpiece 20 andcomplementary cutting accessory 22 are arranged so that either of theouter hub ears 135 can seat in either of the collet slots 86. Thus,during the process of fitting the cutting accessory 22 to the handpiece20, the accessory does not need to be rotated more than 180° before theaccessory is properly aligned to be inserted into the handpiece opening26. Both of these features of the invention make it possible forsurgical personnel to rapidly fit a cutting accessory to the handpiecewith relatively little manipulation or concentration.

Also, the collet 60 of the described version of the invention is formedfrom plastic. Thus, since the collet 60 is non-metallic, the collet canreadily serve as a housing for coil 110 and not adversely affect theinductive signal transfer between coils 110 and 112. Also, the materialfrom which the collet 60 is formed is lighter in weight than thealuminum from which the handpiece housing 24 is formed. Thus, byproviding a plastic collet, the overall weight of the coupling assembly,and the handpiece 20 to which it is installed, is minimized. Theminimization of handpiece weight serves to lessen the fatigue to which asurgeon is exposed as a result of having to hold and manipulate thehandpiece for an extended period of time.

Still another feature of this invention is that the inner wall section96 of collet 60, the surface of the collet against which ribs 154 and156 abut, is curved. Consequently, as soon as there is forward movementof the drive hub 34 out of bore 26, the surface contact between the ribs154 and 156 and the collet 60 is broken. The breaking of this contactresults in a like break in the friction bond that would otherwise holdthe ribs 154 and 156 to the collet. The breaking of this bond means thatthe kinetic force released by the continued expansion of spring 169 isnot applied to overcoming friction bond. Instead this spring forceserves to urge the hubs 34 and 38 of bore 26.

Another feature of the coupling assembly 32 of this invention is that ithouses coil 110. Thus, in a relatively short overall section of thehandpiece, in a section usually less than 1.7 inches or less in lengthand, more particularly, 1.4 or less inches in length, the handpiece ofthis invention has both a coupling assembly and a coil that is employedto read and write data into a RFID chip 170 fitted in the cuttingaccessory 22.

Moreover, the locking members that are integral with the cuttingaccessory 22 of this invention, ears 135, are, from a manufacturingstandpoint, relatively easy to provide. It is a relatively simple taskto form the ears 135 during the molding of the outer hub 38.

Coil seal 139 of the cutting accessory 22 performs a number of differentfunctions. Specifically, the seal serves as one of the components thatprotects the RFID chip 170 and coil 172 from the ambient environment.Ribs 154 and 156 of the seal function as a seal around the drive hub 34.This seal ensures that the suction drawn through the handpiece causesfluid flow from the distal end of the drive shaft 40, not thesurrounding environment. Stop tabs 150, in combination with therelatively large diameter of the drive hub head 176, cooperate toprevent the drive hub and drive shaft sub assembly from falling out ofthe outer hub and outer shell subassembly.

An alternative assembly for holding an RFID chip 190 and complementarycoil 192 in an outer hub 38 a is now described by reference to FIGS.13-17. In this version of the invention, the RFID chip 190 and a lengthof electrical conductor, such as coil 192, are embedded in a substrateor encapsulated in an enclosure to form a transponder or identificationmodule. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 13, for example, the chip190 and coil 192 are sealed within a plastic ring 194. In the presentembodiment, the plastic ring 194 is formed from polypropylene which canbe sterilized by various methods such as exposure to GAMA radiation orETO gas. The appropriate size gauge and length of electrical conductoris turned or looped to form the wire coil 192, which is subsequentlywrapped in one section of the ring 194.

Various methods can be utilized to produce the above-discussedtransponder or identification module. One such method is to insert thechip and coil assembly into a previously molded enclosure and then sealthe enclosure. Consider the example of FIG. 14, which is across-sectional side view depiction of the plastic ring 194 of FIG. 13.The plastic ring 194 is pre-molded to have an annular base 194A andinner and outer opposed sidewalls, 194B and 194C, respectively, thatdefine an interior channel 195 that initially opens sidewardly to theexterior through an annular opening 194D. The chip 190 and attached coil192 are inserted into the interior channel 195 through end 194D. Theinterior channel 195 of the plastic ring 194 is then closed by fillingsame with liquid resin potting material 194E. Alternatively, channel 195can be sealed off by filling the channel 195 with a sealant, such assilicone.

Other potential methods of producing the above-discussed transponder oridentification module include shellacking, whereby the chip 190 and coil192 are dipped in a liquid polymer or resin that subsequently hardens,or even possibly by an over-molding or injection-molding processpresuming that obstacles, such as potential heat damage to chip 190, canbe resolved.

As is with most solid state chips, the RFID chip 190 comprises acollection of solid state circuitry 191A mounted upon a base 191B.Depending on the length of the base 191B, which is determined by thechip manufacturer, chip 190 may be of an inappropriate size to bereadily embedded or encapsulated in a shaped substrate or enclosure,such as ring 194, without subjecting the chip 190 to unnecessary stress.

One way to relieve such stress is to adjust the shape of the base 191Bto better conform with the shape of the substrate or enclosure that thechip 190 is embedded within. Accordingly, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the base 191B of chip 190 is first adjusted beforethe transponder or identification module is assembled. FIG. 15illustrates one such example where the base 191B is selectivelypredisposed with one or more curves or bends 191C in order to relievestress upon the chip 190.

According to another embodiment, stress in the chip 190 can be reducedor prevented by trimming or shortening the base 191B to a length moreappropriate for the size and shape of the substrate or enclosure inwhich the chip 190 is embedded. FIG. 16 illustrates one such examplewhere the base 191B is trimmed in length to better conform with its ringenclosure 194.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the plastic ring 194 with embedded RFID chip190 and coil 192, is slip fitted into outer hub 38 a. Outer hub 38 a hasthe same general outer surface geometry as first described outer hub 38.Outer hub 38 a is further formed so that there are two circumferentiallyextending interior walls 196 and 198 internal to the hub base 130 a thatdefine the bore 202 that extends axially through the hub base. Theinterior wall closest to the hub head 133 a, wall 196, has a diameterthat is less then the diameter of the more proximal wall, wall 198.Thus, walls 196 and 198 define a circumferentially extending andinwardly directed step 204 that extends between the respective walls.

The outer hub 38 a and ring 194 are collectively dimensioned so that thering closely slip fits against interior wall 198. The distal end of thering 194 seats against step 204.

An annular seal 208 is seated in the proximal open end of hub bore 202and holds ring 194 in the bore. Seal 208 is formed from the samematerial from which coil seal 139 is formed. Seal 208 is shaped to havea ring shaped base 210 that is similar in geometry to the proximal endsection 146 of seal 139. Thus, seal base 210 is formed to have lock tabs212 and stop tabs 214 identical in shape and function to the firstdescribed lock tabs 148 and stop tabs 150. Extending proximallyrearwardly from base 210, seal 208 has a tail section 216 identical inform and function as tail section 152.

Seal 208 is further formed so as to have a set of raised bumps (notillustrated) that extend from the distal facing front ring-shaped faceof the seal. The raised bumps are the most forward facing surfacefeatures of the seal 208. When the alternative outer hub assembly isassembled, the raised bumps press against the adjacent proximal facingannular surface of ring 194.

When the cutting accessory with RFID chip of this embodiment of theinvention is assembled, the plastic ring 194 with embedded chip 190 andcoil 192 is slip fitted into outer hub bore 202. The distal end of thering 194 seats against step 204 formed in the outer hub 38 a. Annularseal 208 is then pressed into hub bore 202. More specifically, the seal208 is pressed into the bore until lock tabs 212 extend through hub baseopenings 132 a. The seal 208 thus holds plastic ring 194 in hub bore202.

In the above-described version of the invention, ring 194 totallyencapsulates both RFID chip 190 and coil 192. This encapsulationprevents fluids from contacting the chip 190 or coil 192 and possiblyadversely affecting the operation of these components. Another benefitof this encapsulation is that it physically shields the chip 190 andcoil 192 from mechanical shock. Thus, the ring 194 can be handledwithout having to take excessive care to ensure that contact with thering damages either the chip or coil.

Moreover, ring 194 of the above embodiment, representing one example ofa substrate or enclosure into which the RFID chip 190 and coil 192 areembedded, encapsulated or sealed, is a separate component from the outerhub 38 a. This means that when the components of this invention arefabricated, one does not have to engage in the process of attaching orembedding the RFID chip 190 and coil 192 into the hub, which can be arelatively costly process. Instead, the potentially less costly processof embedding, encapsulating or sealing the chip and coil in a separatesubstrate or enclosure, such as the ring 194, is employed.

Seal 208, does more than function as proximal end seal around the outerhub 38 a and a stop mechanism that prevents the drive hub 34 fromfalling out of the outer hub. The seal 208 also serves as the memberthat holds the ring 194 in the outer hub 38 a. Also, it is clear that itis a relatively simple task to fit the seal in the outer hub 38 a andthat such mounting does not require the use of an added adhesive. Theabove features of the foregoing described version of the invention makeit relatively easy to provide the cutting accessory of this version ofthe invention with the RFID chip 190 and coil 192.

Moreover, since the plastic ring 194 protects the RFID chip 190 and coil192, a number of these assemblies may be physically packed together, toa density where adjacent rings physically abut. As seen by reference tothe diagrammatic representation of FIG. 18, this means a large number ofchip and coil embedded ring assemblies may be placed at a workstation220 and simultaneously be loaded with identification data.

As seen by reference to FIG. 19, it should be understood that, upondelivery from the manufacturer, the memory of each RFID chip 190includes a data field for a serial number 222 and a set of empty datafields represented as fields 224, 225 and 226. The RFID chip 190 andcoil 192 are subsequently embedded into a substrate or encapsulatedwithin an enclosure, such as plastic ring 194.

After the chip 190 and its associated coil 192 are sealed within asubstrate or enclosure to form a transponder or identification module,they are then subjected to batch programming in accordance with theintended purpose of a particular type of cutting accessory. In the batchprogramming, at the workstation 220, a single writing device 228 with asingle coil 230 simultaneously writes data into fields 224, 225 and 226.Specifically, these data are the data used by the control console towhich the handpiece 20 is connected to regulate the actuation of thehandpiece motor 28. The data written into fields 224, 225 and 226indicate such things as: the type of cutting accessory; the initial,preferred minimum and preferred maximum operating speeds of the cuttingaccessory; authorization codes verified by the control console in orderto determine whether or not it is appropriate to actuate the motor; asuggested operating lifetime for the cutting accessory; the type ofcutting accessory; and the batch lot in which the cutting accessory wasmanufactured.

The above data are identical for each cutting accessory manufactured ina single batch lot. Therefore, these data can be simultaneously writteninto the RFID chips 190 for each chip within the lot. This eliminatesthe more time consuming task of having to write the data individuallyinto each chip. Since each chip already has a data field 222 in which aunique identification number is stored, this identification number canbe used as the unique identification number for the cutting accessory22.

It should be recognized that the foregoing are descriptions of twopreferred versions of the invention and that other versions of theinvention may vary from what has been described. For example, whilegenerally the surgical handpiece 20 is discussed in conjunction with acutting accessory 22, it should be understood that the transponder oridentification module of the present invention may be readily utilizedin other types of surgical handpiece accessories, such as, for example,heat-generating devices, light generating devices andsound/mechanical-vibration generating devices. In addition, while thesurgical handpiece 20 and accessory 22 are discussed in the aboveembodiments in relation to endoscopic surgery, use of the invention isnot so limited. The components of the system of this invention can alsobe employed to perform other types of surgical procedures. Handpiecesand cutting accessories of this invention may, for example, be designedto perform ENT procedures, spinal procedures and neurologicalprocedures.

Also, some versions of the invention may not include all features of thedescribed version of the invention. For example, some systems of thisinvention may not have the coils that are employed to facilitateinductive signal transfer between the handpiece and complementarycutting accessory. In some of these versions of the invention, it maytherefore not be necessary to provide the collet as a component separatefrom the handpiece housing. In these versions of the invention, thelocking ring, the wave spring and the cover plate are fitted directlyonto the handpiece housing or body. An advantage of this arrangement ofthe invention is that it even further reduces the number of componentsthat need to be provided in order to construct the handpiece of thisinvention.

Similarly, there may be reasons to provide a tool system of thisinvention with some or all of the features of the coil seal but not toemploy the specifically disclosed means for releasably holding the outerhub to the handpiece. Thus, an alternative version of the invention maycomprise an elastomeric member attached to the proximal end of the outerhub that includes one or more of the described ribs. This version of theinvention may be constructed if the cutting accessory is not providedwith an RFID chip. In these versions of the invention, the ribs of thesemembers perform the sealing function of described ribs 154 and 156. Inthese versions of the invention, the outer hub may be provided withsurface features different from the described ears to facilitate thereleasable attachment of the cutting accessory to the handpiece.

With regard to the ribs 154 and 156, it should similarly be recognizedthat their number are exemplary, not limiting. Some versions of theinvention may be provided with a single rib, some versions three or moreribs. Also, in the described version of the invention the rib 156 isseated is of smaller outer diameter than rib 154. This is because thesection of the inner wall of the housing against which rib 156 abuts isof smaller diameter than the section against which rib 154 abuts. Inalternative versions of the invention, the diameters of these ribs mayvary to compensate for like differences in the profiles of the surfacesthe ribs are intended to abut.

Further, it should be recognized that the location of the coil seal locktabs 148 and the complementary outer hub openings 132 in which the locktabs are seated may be different from what has been described. Thus, thelock tabs may be integral with the distal end section 140 of the seal.Also, both the end sections of the seal may, in some versions of theinvention, be provided with lock tabs. In these versions of theinvention it should be understood that the outer hub is formed withlongitudinally spaced openings in which the lock tabs are seated.

In some versions of the invention, it may not even be necessary toprovide the lock tabs and complementary outer hub openings in which thelock tabs are seated. In some versions of the invention, it may bepossible to provide a seal that is simply compression and/or frictionsecured into the outer hub bore. In still other versions of theinvention, an adhesive may be supplied to bond the seal in the outer hubbore.

It should similarly be recognized that the geometry and number of thestop tabs 150 may vary from what has been described. For example, insome versions of the invention, instead of providing two tabs, the stopmember may be a ring formed of flexible material. The ring thus definesan open section of the outer hub base proximal end opening that has adiameter greater than that of drive hub neck 174 and less than that ofthe drive hub head 176. This ring may or may not be provided with slotsto facilitate its flexing in order to allow the insertion of the drivehub head into the outer hub proximal end opening. Alternatively, threeor more tabs formed of flexible, compressible, or otherwise yieldingmaterial, may be provided as stop tabs.

Also, the number of ears 135 integral with the cutting accessory outerhub 38 may be different from what has been described. In some versionsof the invention, it may be desirable to provide a single ear 135. Thisversion of the invention may be provided when there is a need toposition the cutting accessory in a specific rotational orientationrelative to the handpiece 20. In other versions of the invention, it maybe desirable to provide the cutting accessory with three or more ears.In these versions of the invention, the collet and locking ring areappropriately shaped to accommodate the seating of the ears that do notabut the lock ring. An advantage of these versions of the invention isthat they further reduce the extent to which the cutting accessory 22needs to be rotated in order to position one ear in the slot 86 wherethe locking ring will then block the movement of the ear. This alsoincreases the extent to which the rotational orientation of the cuttingaccessory 22 relative to the handpiece 20 can be selectively set.

Similarly, it should be understood that the components of the versionsof the cutting accessory described in detail may be intermixed as may beappropriate. For example, in some versions of the invention, it may bedesirable to embed the RFID chip 190 and coil 192 in ring 194 and placethis accessory identification between the inner wall of the outer huband adjacent outer wall of a seal similar to seal 139. Alternatively, itmay prove economical to apply a coating of material over thechip-coil-and-flex circuit accessory identification assembly of FIG. 10.Then, this assembly is held in place by seal 208.

In some versions of the invention, it may be possible to provide theaccessory identification assembly with a C-shaped member that encasesthe RFID chip and complementary coil. In these versions of theinvention, the coil would not extend completely circumferentially aroundthe outer hub. In these versions of the invention, the C-shaped memberwould have an outer diameter that is greater than that of the adjacentinner wall of the outer hub. Then, upon the insertion of the accessoryidentification assembly into the outer hub bore, the C-shaped memberwould compression secure itself against the inner wall of the outer hub.In these versions of the invention, in order to ensure that the C-shapemember is held in place, the outer hub may be formed with an annulargroove in which the C-shaped member is seated.

Also, alternative constructions of the coupling assembly may bepossible. For example, in some versions of the invention, the wavespring and release button may be on opposite sides of the locking ring.In these versions of the invention, the lip portion of the locking ring,the portion that blocks movement of the outer hub 38 is located adjacentthe wave spring. The spring biases the locking ring so that the lip isnormally in the locked state. The release button is depressed to retractthe lip into an adjacent slot in the collet so as to place the lockingring in the release state.

Similarly, the biasing member that holds the locking ring in the lockedstate may have different forms than what has been described. Forexample, not all spring versions of this biasing member need be wavesprings. In some versions of the invention, a coil spring or leaf springmay perform this function. Also, this biasing member need not always bea metal or plastic spring. In alternative versions of the invention,elastomeric material disposed between a static component integral withthe handpiece housing and the locking ring may serve as the member thatreleasably holds the locking ring in the locked state.

It should likewise be understood that the geometry of the components ofthis invention may vary from what has been described. For example, thereis no requirement that the accessory outer hub and complementaryhandpiece opening in which the hub is inserted always have a circularprofile. In other versions of the invention, it may be desirable thatthese components have an oval profile or in the form of a polygon, forexample, a square or pentagonal shape. Similarly, the ears of the outerhub, which function as its lock tabs, may have a geometry different fromwhat has been described. For example, there may be a reason to providethe longitudinally extending surfaces of these components with linearprofiles. Clearly, other hubs of the cutting accessory of this inventionmay have other geometric features to facilitate the locking of the hubto the complementary handpiece.

Also, it should be recognized that not all versions of this inventionincorporate a motor as the power generating unit. In some versions ofthe invention, the power generating unit may consist of a device thatgenerates ultrasonic energy, RF energy, thermal energy or photonic,light, energy. In these versions of the invention, the coupling memberthat transfers the power generated by the power generating unit to thecutting accessory will be different from what has been described. Thecoupling member may also be different if the power generating unit isthe previously described motor 28. For example, sometimes the motoroutput shaft 30 may not be provided with a drive pin. In these versionsof the invention, teeth integral with the output shaft function as thecoupling member and engage with complementary teeth on the accessorydrive hub to transfer the motive power from the motor to the cuttingaccessory.

Therefore, it is an object of the appended claims to cover all suchvariations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope ofthis invention.

1. A cutting accessory for actuation by a powered surgical handpiece,said cutting accessory comprising: a drive hub formed with at least onegeometric feature for causing said drive hub to engage an output shaftof a handpiece motor; a drive shaft that extends forward from said drivehub; an outer hub disposed over said drive hub, said outer hub having:an outer hub base that has an inner wall that defines an outer hub borewith an outer hub proximal end opening, said drive hub being at leastpartially seated in the outer hub bore; and a distal end opening throughwhich said drive shaft extends; a removable accessory identificationassembly including: a support member seated in the outer hub bore andspaced distally away from the outer hub proximal end opening, saidsupport member being positioned against the base inner wall; an RFIDchip mounted to said support member; and a coil of electrical conductorconnected to said RFID chip and mounted to said support member; and aseal disposed in the outer hub bore so as to extend out of the outer hubproximal end opening, said seal being disposed against the inner wall ofsaid outer hub base, wherein said support member of said accessoryidentification assembly seats against a distal facing surface of saidseal.
 2. The cutting accessory of claim 1, wherein said seal is shapedto have first and second longitudinally spaced apart end sectionsabutting and circumferentially surrounding the inner wall of said outerhub base, and a main section that extends between said end sections andhas an outer surface that is spaced inwardly of the inner wall of saidouter hub base.
 3. The cutting accessory of claim 2, wherein said outerhub base and said seal are collectively dimensioned so insertion of saidseal against the inner wall of said outer hub base causes said seal endsections to form a moisture tight barrier between said outer hub baseand said seal.
 4. The cutting accessory of claim 1, wherein said supportmember of said accessory identification assembly is one of a ring and adisc into which are embedded said RFID chip and said coil.
 5. Thecutting accessory of claim 4, wherein said support member is a preformedenclosure defining an interior for receiving said RFID chip and saidcoil.
 6. The cutting accessory of claim 5, wherein said RFID chip andsaid coil are sealed inside said enclosure by a sealant.
 7. The cuttingaccessory of claim 1, wherein: said outer hub base is formed with atleast one lateral opening; and said seal is formed with a lock tab thatextends through the lateral opening in said outer hub base.
 8. Thecutting accessory of claim 1, wherein said seal is further formed todefine at least one rib that is located outside of the proximal end ofsaid outer hub base, said at least one rib surrounding the outer hubproximal end opening.
 9. The cutting accessory of claim 1, wherein: saiddrive hub is shaped to have a proximally-located neck that has adiameter and a distally-located head that has a diameter, the diameterof said head being greater than the diameter of said neck; and said sealis shaped to have at least one stop tab that extends inwardly from aninner surface of said seal towards said drive hub stem, and said atleast one stop tab is dimensioned so that said stop tab has an innersurface that defines an open section within the outer hub base bore thathas a diameter greater than the diameter of said drive hub neck and lessthan the diameter of said drive hub neck head.
 10. An accessory forattachment to a powered surgical tool, comprising: a drive shaftdesigned for one of manipulating and analyzing tissue; and a couplingdesigned to removably attach said drive shaft to the powered surgicaltool and facilitate a transfer of power from the powered surgical toolto said drive shaft, said coupling comprising: a drive hub formed withat least one geometric feature for causing said drive hub to engage anoutput shaft of a handpiece motor; an outer hub having opposed proximaland distal ends with an axially extending through bore that extends fromthe proximal end to the distal end of said outer hub, said bore having aproximal end opening and a distal end opening; an inner wall thatdefines a proximal end section of the bore; at least one lateral openingthat extends from said inner wall to an adjacent outer wall of saidouter hub, and wherein said drive hub extends out of the proximal endopening and said drive shaft extends out of the distal end opening; aself-contained removable transponder removably secured in the proximalend section of the outer hub bore within said accessory and configuredto wirelessly communicate at least one of identification and operationalinformation concerning said accessory to the powered surgical tool, saidtransponder comprising a solid state chip and an attached length ofelectrical conductor embedded within a solid substrate; and a sealdisposed in the proximal end section of the outer hub bore between theproximal end opening and said transponder.
 11. The accessory of claim10, wherein said transponder comprises an RFID chip and the length ofelectrical conductor comprises a coil.
 12. The accessory of claim 11,wherein said RFID chip and said attached coil are inserted into aplastic enclosure and covered with a sealant.
 13. The accessory of claim12, wherein said plastic enclosure is formed in a shape of one of a ringand a disc.
 14. The accessory of claim 12, wherein said sealant is oneof liquid resin and silicone.
 15. The accessory of claim 10, wherein:said seal is shaped to have a distally directed end face; and saidtransponder seats against the distally directed end face of said seal.16. The accessory of claim 10, wherein said seal is shaped to have frontand rear longitudinally spaced apart end sections and a main sectionthat extends between said end sections, each said end section shaped toabut the inner wall of said outer hub, the rear end section being theportion of said seal located between the proximal end opening of theouter hub bore and said transponder.
 17. The accessory of claim 10,wherein said seal is further formed to define at least one rib that islocated outside of the outer hub bore and said at least one ribsurrounds the outer hub proximal end opening.
 18. The accessory of claim10, wherein: said drive hub is shaped to have a proximally-located neckthat has a diameter and a distally-located head that has a diameter, thediameter of said head being greater than the diameter of said neck; andsaid seal is shaped to have at least one stop tab that extends inwardlyfrom an inner surface of said seal towards said drive hub stem, and saidat least one stop tab is dimensioned so that said stop tab has an innersurface that defines an open section within the outer hub base bore thathas a diameter greater than the diameter of said drive hub neck and lessthan the diameter of said drive neck head.